Hawaii elopement packages

updated for 2024


In this guide you'll:

  • Get info about eloping in Hawaii in 2024, learn about the average Hawaii wedding cost, and receive helpful tips to plan your dream elopement.
  • Explore a variety of Hawaii elopement package examples that cater to different budgets and preferences, making your planning process a breeze.
  • Discover the benefits of having full coverage of your elopement and learn how it can capture every magical moment and create lasting memories.
  • Dive into timeline examples of Hawaii elopement packages, ensuring a well-organized and stress-free experience from start to finish.


xo

Raizah

Average Hawaii Wedding Cost

Hawaii destination elopements tend to cost more, but I truly believe it's worth every penny! The natural beauty & mana of the islands is palpable.. with its golden sunsets, salt-kissed beaches, and lush greenery. Hawaii creates a romantic and idyllic backdrop for your special day and above all, the mana (energy) of Hawaii is healing and will add a touch of magic to your special day. The memories and experiences you'll create on your Hawaiian Elopement will stay with you forever.


The average price of a Hawaii destination wedding costs between $9,500 - $15,600. To provide some context, I've created three different elopement options. This will give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to cost and help you plan your dream Hawaii elopement.

Hawaii Elopement Packages example:

Below are some details of all the things I consider when creating elopement timelines for the couples I work with.


In my years of experience, I have observed patterns in terms of investment required to make your special occasion truly memorable. These package examples are not quotes for my custom elopement packages in Hawaii, but instead, serve to give you ideas on how much you want to invest in your wedding day.

High-End Elopement


Includes: Airfare, Five-night stay at BNB, Professional Photographer, 2-3 permits for adventure hiking elopement (Possibly Inter-Island!), Helicopter Tour, Private Chef, Professional Hair & Makeup services


$1,500 - Airfare

$65 - Marriage License Fee

$500 - Officiant

$450 - Commercial Use Permit(s)

$3,800 - Five Nights at a Nice BNB

$7,000 - Professional Photographer

$1,000- Bouquet and Full Decoration by a Florist

$5,000 - Bridal Outfit, Accessories, and Shoes

$500 - Hair and Makeup Services

$1,000 - Suit & Shoes

$600 - Private Chef

$2,300 - Helicopter Tour



Total: $24,065

Mid-End Elopement


Includes: Airfare, Five-night stay at BNB, Professional Photographer, 2 permits for adventure hiking elopement (Mountains, Volcanos, Waterfalls!), Catamaran boat tour and Professional Hair & Makeup services



$1,500 - Airfare

$65 - Marriage License Fee

$300 - Officiant

$300 - Commercial Use Permit(s)

$2,500 - Five Nights at a decent BNB

$4,500 - Professional Photographer

$450 - Bouquet and Some Decoration by a Florist

$3,000 - Bridal Outfit, Accessories, and Shoes

$400 - Hair and Makeup Services

$400 - Suit & Shoes

$850 - Catamaran Boat Tour





Total: $13,965

Low-End Elopement


Includes: Airfare on travel deals, five-night stay at 1 star hotel, Professional Photographer, DIY makeup, hair and bouquet. For beach elopement's ONLY.





$700 Airfare (finding travel deals)

$65 - Marriage License Fee

$0- Officiant (friend/family gets ordained)

$20 - Commercial Use Permit (Beach only)

$1,000 - Five Nights Stay at a 1 star hotel

$3,000 - Professional Photographer

$25 - DIY bouquet

$1,000 - Bridal Outfit, Accessories, and Shoes

$0- DIY Hair & Makeup

$250 - Suit & Shoes







Total: $6,060

why would i want full coverage of my elopement?


it's your wedding day!


You deserve more than a couple of quick portraits. It's the day you are blessed in sacred union, an accolade that you will re-live & remember forever. I truly believe that your whole wedding day deserves to be documented in its entirety, so that even when memories begin to fade... your intimate photos can be cherished for a lifetime & beyond.


Swimming with dolphins, a picnic on a Hawaiian cliff, bonfires & dancing under moonlight .. there are no limits & ALL of your most special moments & activities that you planned will be documented with full day coverage.


TImeline Examples

these timeline examples are here to spark your imagination and help you plan a unique and exciting elopement day


10 Hour Elopement Timeline

-with guests-



Day 1: w/ guests

2:45 pm- Arrive at ceremony location and set up for the first look

3:15 pm- First look session followed by capturing the details

4:00 pm- Family arrives and get ready for the ceremony

4:30 pm- Ceremony begins

5:15 pm- Ceremony ends, pop champagne to celebrate

5:45 pm- Family photos

6:30 pm- Family photos end and family heads to town

6:45 pm- Couple explores and have portraits taken

7:45 pm- Sunset, head to the restaurant

8:45 pm- Arrive at the restaurant and meet family for dinner, toasts, and cake

10:45 pm- Photo coverage ends


Day 2: no guests

6:30-8:30 am - Meet at Tunnels beach for some epic portraits at sunrise in your wedding gear. Photo coverage wraps up!


8 Hour Elopement Timeline

-sunset ceremony-


8:30 am - Meet at waterfall trailhead & hike in

9:00 - 10:00 am - Waterfall swim adventure photo session

10:00 am - Walk back to car & head to BNB

-coverage break-



12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - "Getting ready" photos (last minute vow touch ups, photographing bouquet, cake, dress, shoes etc) & First Look

1:30 -2:30 pm - Travel time to hiking spot (depending on location)

2:30 pm - Hiking to ceremony spot

3:30 to 5:30 pm - Arrive at ceremony spot: ceremony, first dance, couples portraits, champagne toast

5:30 - 6:30pm - Hike back to parking lot, end of elopement coverage

6 Hour Elopement Timeline

-sunrise ceremony-


4:00am - Meet at trailhead parking lot, get ready with headlamps

4:30 am - First look w/ star photos

5:15 am - Hike to ceremony spot

6:00 am - Arrive at ceremony spot

6:30 am - Ceremony

6:45 - 8:45 am - Couples portraits + breakfast picnic

9:00 am - Hike back to parking lot

10:00 am - End of elopement coverage


WHAT DO YOU NEED TO ELOPE IN HAWAII?

Marriage License + Hawaii Agent Meeting in Person


  1. Apply for a Marriage License with the State of Hawaii. Applications are done online, click here to apply. You can apply up to one year in advance from your wedding day. The application fee is $65.
  2. Book an (in person) an appointment with a Hawaii License Agent. Schedule the meeting a day or so before your wedding day, to avoid adding extra things to do on your wedding day. Make sure to book an agent on the correct island! During the meeting the agent will review your application, verify photo IDs and any necessary documentation, and issue the license. Click here for a list of Hawaii License Agents.
  3. Once the meeting is complete, the Hawaii License Agent will sign off on your paperwork and you will be ready for your ceremony! Just make sure you bring the paperwork on your wedding day to hand off to the officiant/ marriage performer.
  4. Once you are officially married, the officiant will submit your paperwork online, you will receive an e-copy of your marriage certificate via email, and a hard copy will come in the mail about a month or so after your wedding day.


*if you are a visual person or are still confused by the process, click here to watch an easy youtube video on this whole process*

Marriage Performer / Officiant


If you would like a family member or friend to be your officiant, lucky for you, the process is very easy!


  1. Have your family/ friend apply here and pay the $35 registration fee.
  2. Just a tip! No witnesses are required in the State of Hawaii. So, once your ceremony is complete- have your family member submit your marriage certificate via the online portal. :)


OR

  1. If you want to hire an officiant or marriage performer, click here for a list of performers.
Location Permit


Location permits are acquired through the Hawaii Film Office, to see more click here.


Beach permits are a different application process than getting married at a State Park or trail and vice versa.


Hawaii also requires a million dollar policy for the state of Hawaii as "additionally insured". Basically, what I'm saying is that applying for permits is kind of a headache, and could be avoided if you hire an officiant or photographer as they are usually the vendors that secure the permits for the couples they serve.


*YES permits come covered in my packages. I cover the cost of a beach permit, any other location, like a trail or state park will be an out of pocket cost for the couple, but I will still apply and acquire the permit for your wedding day.*

Featured hawaii elopement galleries

Kauai Elopement


Keith ❤ Ashley



Small Wedding on the Big Island


Catya ❤ Misha



Maui Elopement



Rachel ❤ Jeff




WHERE TO ELOPE IN HAWAII

-My top 4 favorite locations-


Big Island (Hawaii Island)

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach - Truly stunning contrast of black sand against crystal clear waters. This beach is a Hawaiian gem with a permit fee of only $20.

Maui

Waihe’e Ridge - This location offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and ocean, making it a truly unique and memorable place to elope. The permit fee for this location is $110.

OAHU

Kahana Bay - Say your vows at the peaceful and picturesque Kahana Bay. With a permit fee of $110, this location offers breathtaking mountain views and a serene setting for your Hawaii elopement.

KAUAI

Tunnels Beach - Absolutely epic mountain views from this beach, it does get quite crowded so I recommend a sunrise elopement to avoid big groups of people. Permit fee is $20.


What I Do

crafting bespoke elopements since 2019

more than just a photographer


  • vendor recommendations
  • accommodation recommendations
  • trail references
  • permit info
  • tailored timelines
  • & officiant assistance!
Personalized Timeline


I will help you craft the perfect timeline for your wedding day, based around all the activities you want to do, places you want to see, and ideal portrait locations with the best lighting available!

Location Scouting


If you need help deciding or narrowing down your choices on where to get married- whether i've been to that location before or not- I always do tons of research to help my couples pick special spots for their ceremony and portraits.


Vendor & Accommodation


I will help connect you with local vendors for your special day (florists, catering, ordainer/officiant, Air Bnb ideas for places to stay).

Permits & Trails


Some places require a permit to take photos or have a ceremony.. it can certainly become confusing- but i'm here to help make it a smooth process so that all the nitty gritty details are crossed off before your big day!


WHy I do it

documenting your authentic connection, not a performance


I do a happy dance every time a couple breaks free from the expectations and pressures of the wedding industry. I firmly believe that your wedding day should be a magical, intentional experience that reflects the unique beauty of your relationship. It's about doing what you love, surrounded by the people you cherish the most. By creating a sacred space, free from distractions, your commitment takes center stage.

a little bit about me...

Hi! I’m Raizah, pronounced (Rye-zuh), I was born California & am currently living in between Maui & Cali.

I offer Hawaiian elopement packages & am absolutely in love with documenting sacred union between two adventurous lovers!

My life path number is 5, and if you’re into numerology, you know that means I LOVE my freedom - and make no compromises when it comes to it! I graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Studies: Sustainable Communities from Cal State Monterey Bay- the Big Sur Coast & hidden gems of Monterey- Rumsen land will forever have a special place in my heart!

I am deeply called to help children- and fundraise often for Wings Of Grace, an orphanage in Uganda & in the future- I will be stepping deeper into philanthropy work! My dream is to live in a small community with my own lil’ piece of land and to build and live in an Earthship (kudos if you know what that is!).

I honor and respect the earth and all of her creations with deep reverence and will always be an advocate for the voiceless!

Being out on the land with two lovers to adventure with on their special day- is so dreamy & sometimes I have to pinch myself to remember that it’s real!! I’m so excited to get to know you and to steward an epic wedding day for you & your beloved! <3

Loving this blog? Make sure to checkout my homepage for more tips on finding the right Hawaii Elopement Photographer.

Curious to how the BOOKING PROCESS works?

I.

Schedule your free elopement consultation.

Once you contact me, I'll respond within 24 hours & we can chat about your ceremony vision!


II.

If you decide to book, your date will be reserved once a non-refundable retainer is paid and you sign the contract.

III.

Leading up to your wedding day, I'll help by planning your custom timeline, scouting for epic locations & by assisting you with any other questions, ideas, & concerns that might come up!